NPS land the lesser of two evils

June 28, 2012

I write in support of my friends and neighbors in Pike County whose lives and lands will be disrupted by the planned Tennessee Gas “loop.” In this instance, reverting to the original plan to use the National Park Service right of way is the lesser of two evils from an environmental impact standpoint. That plan is the best course for Pike County.

Now is the time for strong, bipartisan leadership on this issue. It is hard for many of us to believe it would take an Act of Congress to return the pipeline to its originally planned right of way, but that may now be the case.

Congressman Tom Marino represents all of Pike County, and needs to take bold and swift action now in Washington to stand up for the people of his district. As one of his constituents, I want to know why he isn’t here personally to support the Cummins Hill property owners. Why isn’t he responding personally to letters written to his office? Why does this fall to an aide? What meetings has he scheduled with FERC? What meetings has he scheduled with the pipeline company? What’s his position on the proposed NiSource pipeline which, as planned, will bisect all of Pike County?

I call on my friends and neighbors in Pike, regardless of affiliation, to demand that Congressman Marino engage locally and in Washington, DC with the peoples’ interest in mind and ahead of the gas companies.